 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Aussie Nick
Date: 2001-05-08 08:06
Hey all. I have a slight problem. The last concert I played in with my youth orchestra was on April 1st or something like that. We played Dvorak Scherzo Cappricciso, Betty Beath - River Songs (Aussie composer), Enesco- Romanian Rhapsody no.1, and Ravel- Rhapsody Espagnole. The concert was recorded, and I have recently bought the cd and listened to it a fair bit because i wanted to hear what my solo's sounded like from the audience. My biggest solo's were in the Ravel and the Enesco. I can't complain about the Ravel (except for the way the violins played, but anyway) in the Enesco, I start the entire peice with a solo on my own, and then the oboe joins me and we do a little duet thing. Anyway, when listening to it, I had trouble distinguishing my sounds from that of the principal flute. I mean, I obviously knew that it was me playing because I remember performing it, but if I didn't know it was in fact me, it might be different case. I took the CD to a friend who plays flute and she listened. During the Enesco she pipes up and says "I love it when flute and oboe play together." This of course didn't satisfy me at all, and I had to tell her "it's me not the flute!" So she listened again and again until she finally felt like an idiot not recognising the difference between clarinet and flute. Anyway I don't know what to do. DO I need to try and change my sound? Maybe add a few squeeks and stuff to my solos? I don't want the audience to hear a clarinet solo, and not even be able to distinguish it for that of a flute. I hope I don't sound peak headed. The people at uni who I have mentioned this to have all laughed in my face. It is actually a serious concern for me though.
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Author: graham
Date: 2001-05-08 09:01
Not a cause for worry in my view. The flute and clarinet do sound similar in the upper clarinet register. A straight, non-breathy flute can sound like a clarinet with a focused and light airy type of sound.
Some people describe your kind of sound as "silvery", and you will find many people like it. If you go out of your way to change it into something that isn't "you", then they probably won't like it.
By the way, I have a CD of an Australian orchestra under Charles Mackerras doing Schubert 6th. The clarinetist there has this silvery type of sound, and the interplay with the flute and oboe is a delight.
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Author: Anji
Date: 2001-05-08 11:45
Sounds to me as if you got a "Bell-like" or BelCanto tone.
I will gladly trade you my upper-register rasp for your gold-plated evanescent pearl.
(Please put it in a silken box lined with twenties.)
It seems to me that you may be your own critic.
I believe that the biggest name players don't listen closely to themselves, and this may limit their progress, but not their popularity.
Great players (and you may become one) can be very harsh about wonderful playing. I'm jealous of your playing in an orchestra, as it is.
Now you whinge about getting a beautiful sound!
Lord save us from Artists!
anji
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Author: George
Date: 2001-05-08 12:05
Two thoughts:
1) Many people, even people with some musical experience, have difficulties distinguishing instruments, especially when doubled by another instrument.
2) Blending the sounds so that neither instrument stands out is EXACTLY what you were supposed to be doing. Congratulations on doing it so well that the listener can't unscramble it.
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Author: bob gardner
Date: 2001-05-08 13:44
have others listen and see what they think. May we all have the same problem!!!!!!!!
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Author: William
Date: 2001-05-08 14:18
Recordings often do not reproduce the true sounds of a live performance, but it is also true that as the pitch goes higher, due to the relative highth of the sounds quality-defining overtone series, it becomes more difficult to tell the difference between many instruments playing a pure straight tone (the human ear can only hear so high). Other technical characterists sometimes help identify the instrument--vibrato, slight gliss, equipment noise, etc--but without out these clues, it is like telling the taste difference between 7-Up, Coke and Pepsie, blindfolded. You may be right about the tell-tale characteristic of the clarinet squeek, but as of this date, it is not an acceptable athesthetic goal to pursue. Since there was no adverse comment regarding intonation and balance, you must be doing something right :"down under." Keep jup the good work and good clarineting!!!!!!
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Author: jan
Date: 2001-05-08 14:19
just a thot....i know that when i record myself on a regular tape recorder the sound isnt exactly what i, or anyone hears in person. could it have been the recording equipment?
jan
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-05-08 16:04
I have a recording of Giora Feidman playing his wonderful Klezmer clarinet music in Jerusalem with the Jerusalem Orchestra, and he sounded like a flute on some of his high register solos. I was amazed at the clarity of sound and wondered how many hours he must have worked to produce such a pure sound. So, if you are already producing such a wonderful sound, I wouldn't be too worried!!!! Some of us work for years to come up with a great tone! Happy playing!
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Author: deebee
Date: 2001-05-08 16:48
too much vibrato? 8^)
cheerio from rainy Sydney Ð deebee
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Author: John Scorgie
Date: 2001-05-08 18:03
Nick --
You and other younger players may be interested to know that once upon a time there was a highly respected school of clarinet playing, centered in London, which held that a player should strive to make the high register of the clarinet sound flutelike, usually including vibrato. Although the clarinetist most often mentioned in reference to this style of playing is Reginald Kell, IMHO the most "flutelike" clarinetist of all was Bernard Walton of the Philharmonia Orchestra c. 1950-1960.
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Author: Jim
Date: 2001-05-09 05:18
What William said is likely the best explanation. Though the newer digital recording teechniques have helped greatly, resonances between the instrument/ concert hall/ microphiones can skew the harmonic qualities of the tone.
Jan, what we hear of our own playing can be a bit different from what others (and a microphone) hear due to sound conduction directly from the mouthpiece into the teeth and head. More pronounced in singing for sure, it is the reason that we "dont sound like ourselves" when our voices are recorded.
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Author: col
Date: 2001-05-09 10:44
I think your biggest concern should not be whether it sounded like a flute or not, but that you didn't know your own sound enough to distinguish it. Be very careful if you are experimenting with vibrato in the upper register of the clarinet as this can lead to a thin and potentially weak tone, nevertheless a touch of colour that can be achieved in this way will give you a distinct sound. Focus on the sound you want and go after it, find a teacher who has this sound or can help you achieve it. You must remember there are many fantastic technical clarinet players, just look at many university students, but far fewer players can also boast a beautiful, rich tone.
best of luck
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Author: Aussie Nick
Date: 2001-05-09 12:31
I know my sound quite well and I do recognise it. I'm also very happy with my sound right now. My teacher and I focussed on it for a very long time. Every audition or exam I do, the comments are mainly focussed on my tone. Where I am lacking is in technique. I'm currently working on correcting the movement of both my little pinky fingers, and also not rushing fast technical work. My teacher says my technique is actually fine, the only time it has trouble is when I rush. My teacher always says that anyone in the world can get a good technique, but very few are lucky enough to have a sound like mine. Although I can recognise my sound, and Im happy with it, I guess my main concern is if other people will be able tot ell it apart from the flute.
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Author: Leesh :-)
Date: 2001-05-09 14:48
STOP STRESSING YOU! You sound wonderful! (For the 100th time).I KNOW because I'm the only one on this site who has actually heard you. I won't complain about you being a perfectionist though, just try not to be too hard on yourself. Trust me, you sound great, and too bad if some people think you sound like a flute, they just don't know quality playing (even if it came and bit them on the bottom!!!). :-)
Luv ya,
Leesh ;-)
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Author: Gavin
Date: 2001-05-11 07:37
Actually, Nick, Leesh is not the only one on this site who has heard you, I have as well. You tone is great. As I told you after I heard you play at a Masterclass, you just need to chill out a little in your playing. It seems to me you take it all far too seriously and this perfectionist worrying is reflected in your playing. It's also no doubt why you rush your fast technical work. As for sounding like a flute on a recording, you're supposed to blend your sound with the other principal wind players in orchestra. Well done!
Take Leesh's advice and STOP STRESSING!
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